Sansevieria trifasciata

RHS Plant Profile

mother-in-law's tongue

Other common names

mother-in-law's nose, snake plant, three-striped dragon tree

Synonyms

Dracaena trifasciata

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An evergreen perennial forming a clump of stiff, upright, sword-shaped variegated deep green leaves with pale grey-green banding. Racemes of small, sticky, tubular pale greenish-white to cream, occasionally fragranced flowers may appear in summer or autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Sansevieria are stemless, erect, rhizomatous, succulent perennials with evergreen, ovate or strap-shaped, leathery leaves often attractively marbled, and short spikes of small fragrant tubular greenish-white flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: C Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in bright filtered light, avoiding full summer sun. Grow outdoors, in a sheltered, frost-free environment, in full sun. Pot on only when pot bound. Tolerant of neglect. Protect from winter wet. See houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by leaf cuttings, suckers or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free